The review isn't all that favourable and it dates back from 2008, based on tests with the D70, a 6 MP camera. I'd try to get a good sample of the Sony E 55-210mm, with goodies like autofocus and stabilization. Buy one with a store with a good return policy, because you may get a bad sample and want to return or exchange it. I just ordered my 3rd sample, with Amazon UK this time, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed, the previous 2 samples weren't good.

Oh, and I had to return my Nikkor 70-300mm at the time because it was unsharp at the left side, and it was the ED version with metal mount...

Hi thanks a lot for the answers.
What zoom lenses are there that I should try consider for my nex? I can afford only the 55-210 (in some reviews though regarding image quality does not score too high) and why not some legacy lens.

So you say that the kit len is
lighter, smaller than the legacy ones? Thanks I did not know that since I have touched more than 3 lenses in my life. Can you share me some pictures with the two zoom lenses you have Sony SEL55210 | Minolta MD 70-210mm f/4 ? I am also tempted to ask why you also have a minolta your self while also having the kit lens?
Thanks a lot

So you say that the kit len is
lighter, smaller than the legacy ones? Thanks I did not know that since I have touched more than 3 lenses in my life. Can you share me some pictures with the two zoom lenses you have Sony SEL55210 | Minolta MD 70-210mm f/4 ? I am also tempted to ask why you also have a minolta your self while also having the kit lens?
Thanks a lot

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If you go for a legacy lens I would not buy a Minolta MD 70-210/4. Sure, it's good but also heavy, large and difficult to focus at its largest focal length. When I want a zoom I use a Minolta MD 50-135/3.5, which is a good compromise between zoom range, size and weight. Its image quality is also quite good when stopped down to f/5.6. However, the Sony SEL-55210 is a very convenient lens, no doubt about that: it has autofocus, very effective image stabilization and is fairly light and not too big. Yesterday I have ordered my third sample after having returned two of them, Sony's quality control is in need of quality control itself...

If you go for a legacy lens I would not buy a Minolta MD 70-210/4. Sure, it's good but also heavy, large and difficult to focus at its largest focal length. When I want a zoom I use a Minolta MD 50-135/3.5, which is a good compromise between zoom range, size and weight. Its image quality is also quite good when stopped down to f/5.6. However, the Sony SEL-55210 is a very convenient lens, no doubt about that: it has autofocus, very effective image stabilization and is fairly light and not too big. Yesterday I have ordered my third sample after having returned two of them, Sony's quality control is in need of quality control itself...

Click to expand...

I agree with Ad about the MD 70-210 f/4 however if you feel like you need the longer FL of 210mm and don't want to spend as much for the 55-210mm, as strange as it sounds I would suggest the variable aperture MD 70-210 f/4.5-5.6.

Its very compact for such a zoom lens (91mm, smaller than the SEL55-210), very lightweight at only 330g (lighter than the SEL55-210) and thus quite easy to handle/focus. The reviews I've read and the suggestions I was getting about this lens were bad but because I prefer to test things personally before coming into a conclusion I bought this lens and tried it today. During my holidays in August I plan to put all my Minolta lenses to a test and post some sample images.
At its max focal lenght its not the sharpest lens out there but overall I'm very satisfied with the image quality and its quite good at f/8. Its not a lens for low light conditions (not fast) but as I undestand it neither is the SEL55-210. On the other hand I'm not so "demanding" as my friend Ad above since I also find most of my MDs good (expect the 35-105)

I also agree with Ad about the MD 70-210 f/4. It's a heavy and huge beast of a lens, and not one I ever casually toss in my camera bag just in case. If I'm going to use it, I'm going to be taking along at least a monopod, so it's not a walk-around lens. The SEL55210 however is easy to take along. Here's the comparison photo you asked for Alex:

According to my cheap postal scale, the MD weighs in at 808 gm if you count the lens hood and adapter, whereas the Sony only weighs 383 gm.

As to why I have them both, I bought the MD late last year, and have used it sparingly. But just last week I found the SEL on ebay for US$200, which was within my comfort zone. Yes, it's a bit softer in the corners than the MD, but it has less CA, and as I mentioned above, it is a lens I will take along just in case. Had I spent Zeiss money on it, I'd be far less forgiving of its shortcomings. But life is full of tradeoffs, and this is one I'm more than willing to make. After all, one of the salient reasons to get a NEX is because of the size and weight.

I haven't yet decided whether or not to sell the MD, but I suspect that I will.

MD 70-210mm @ 210mm, shot from about 2-2,5m, f/8, iso 400, 1/160, shot RAW and converted to LR with mininal PP (let me know if you want any other specs/info)

Notes:
Might not be 100% accurate on focus since I was only relaying on the LCD for focus peaking (mid/yellow) - it was a very sunny morning here in Cyprus. And you know how bad the LCD on the older Nex is when in bright sunlight...
This lens is prone to flare and I need to buy a lens hood for it.
No, what you see at the bottom left of the cats fur is not sensor dust - this was one dirty cat, lol